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Man dead in house fire

Investigators with the State Fire Marshal's Office work at the scene of a house fire involving a death in southeast Marion County Monday morning.

Alan Youngblood/Star-Banner

By Carlos E. MedinaCorrespondent

Published: Monday, April 29, 2013 at 7:42 a.m.

Last Modified: Monday, April 29, 2013 at 7:42 a.m.

Marianne Lopez remembered her brother on Monday as a kind man who was working toward a better life after making some bad decisions in the past.

James A. Coons’ goal was cut short early Monday after a fire broke out in his home at 7386 SE 135th St., killing the 34-year-old.

“He had been in some trouble and had a hard time finding work because of his record. But he got a job two weeks ago. I think he said today he was going to get his first paycheck. He was so happy,” said Lopez who lives next door to the single-wide mobile home where Coons died.

Coons had some brushes with the law for small amounts of marijuana in 2011, but was ultimately given probation, which he completed, according to court records.

“He was a good man. He would help anyone he could. If he had the ability, he would help you, no questions asked,” Lopez said.

On Monday, Lopez’s front porch was strewn with wet and charred family photos that firefighters recovered from her brother’s destroyed mobile home.

Just before 5 a.m., Lopez awoke in her bedroom, which was bathed in orange light, and realized the mobile home, which is about 10 feet from her bedroom window, was on fire.

She immediately called 911 and within two minutes the firefighters were on the scene. In the meantime, Lopez ran outside to see what she could do.

“The living room area was where it was burning the most and the kitchen part was starting to burn fast. I went to the back and started knocking on his bedroom window and yelling that the house was on fire,” Lopez said.

“I heard him say ‘Oh, s---,’ and then I heard a bang like he dropped to the floor. I didn’t hear him again after that,” she said.

Lopez got a shovel that was nearby and started breaking out the windows to try and give her brother a way to get out, but to no avail.

After firefighters arrived, they moved Lopez back from the fire and soon discovered Coons, who was unresponsive in the back of the mobile home. He was later pronounced dead at the scene.

The cause of the fire is under investigation by the State Fire Marshal’s Office.

Lopez said the electricity to the mobile home was turned off recently because Coons was not able to pay the bill, but she did not know if he was using candles.

“He used flashlights. He was always asking us for batteries,” Lopez said.

Coons was born in Marion County and attended Lake Weir High School. He is survived by two sisters and his parents, who live in the Belleview area.

“He was the baby of the family. He was never married and didn’t have children, but he loved his car,” Lopez said.

<p>Marianne Lopez remembered her brother on Monday as a kind man who was working toward a better life after making some bad decisions in the past.</p><p>James A. Coons' goal was cut short early Monday after a fire broke out in his home at 7386 SE 135th St., killing the 34-year-old.</p><p>“He had been in some trouble and had a hard time finding work because of his record. But he got a job two weeks ago. I think he said today he was going to get his first paycheck. He was so happy,” said Lopez who lives next door to the single-wide mobile home where Coons died.</p><p>Coons had some brushes with the law for small amounts of marijuana in 2011, but was ultimately given probation, which he completed, according to court records.</p><p>“He was a good man. He would help anyone he could. If he had the ability, he would help you, no questions asked,” Lopez said.</p><p>On Monday, Lopez's front porch was strewn with wet and charred family photos that firefighters recovered from her brother's destroyed mobile home.</p><p>Just before 5 a.m., Lopez awoke in her bedroom, which was bathed in orange light, and realized the mobile home, which is about 10 feet from her bedroom window, was on fire.</p><p>She immediately called 911 and within two minutes the firefighters were on the scene. In the meantime, Lopez ran outside to see what she could do.</p><p>“The living room area was where it was burning the most and the kitchen part was starting to burn fast. I went to the back and started knocking on his bedroom window and yelling that the house was on fire,” Lopez said.</p><p>“I heard him say 'Oh, s---,' and then I heard a bang like he dropped to the floor. I didn't hear him again after that,” she said.</p><p>Lopez got a shovel that was nearby and started breaking out the windows to try and give her brother a way to get out, but to no avail.</p><p>After firefighters arrived, they moved Lopez back from the fire and soon discovered Coons, who was unresponsive in the back of the mobile home. He was later pronounced dead at the scene.</p><p>The cause of the fire is under investigation by the State Fire Marshal's Office.</p><p>Lopez said the electricity to the mobile home was turned off recently because Coons was not able to pay the bill, but she did not know if he was using candles.</p><p>“He used flashlights. He was always asking us for batteries,” Lopez said.</p><p>Coons was born in Marion County and attended Lake Weir High School. He is survived by two sisters and his parents, who live in the Belleview area.</p><p>“He was the baby of the family. He was never married and didn't have children, but he loved his car,” Lopez said.</p>